Background Front Corner, Crit. UPDATED

[None]

This was a test shot, for a background I'm doing, what I want from you wonderful people is what I should do/missing/everything.
I'm going to 'redo' this background completely, so I need detailed suggestions!
Thanks a ton in advance, -SAG.

I think I'll post some sprites I've been working on later, this is just... frustrating.

[Monk]

overall i thing it's good, the perspecive,lights, those so far are nice,

let me add this bits..

i think you should vary on buildings, make the buildings outside not just the main, well theres should be the surrounding yes? and the building details, like bricks, profiles on doors,windows etc..

but hey, im no expert,only thinking out loud and suggesting!

again, you got nice stuff there..

more power mate!

'cheers!

[loominous]

Cool to see an elaborate sketch posted.

What elements are you trying to show/needs to be there? Is the store in focus? Is the alleyway an exit? Does the lamp/street need to be visable? What mood are you going for?

Edit: Oops, accidentally quoted the image

[None]

Okay here's the things I noticed need fixing.
(no texture on sidewalks)
(lamp is too large, /outta scale for the door)
The alleyway and the store front are focus, both, which is why I tried to center the camera.
The perspective makes scaling a problem, the sidewalk looks huge compared to the rest...
my bit of texturing for brick on the storefront is not constant, sorta /artsy (aka just added some quick lines)
That's just what I can see.

Going for an old, downtown sorta feel, maybe even like cobblestone streets, (which DEF need texture.)
Hope that clears things up for what I was going for.

[loominous]

The three major things that struck me when I saw it was:

I) The most intense contrast is by the lamp, on the side of the image, which draws the focus away from the important elements, as well as to the side of the image (the safest thing is to draw the focus toward the center of the image, to keep the viewer inside the image. An old trick is to subtly darken the borders/edges of the image, in order to achieve this).

I'd probably have a lamp by the store to produce the strongest contrast around those parts. Perhaps have a sharp shadow falling by the alleyway, to attract attention to it as well.

II) You mentioned the sideway size, and I think it goes for the street as well, and I think you could simply move the camera closer, cutting off the street, (or perhaps leave a slice), having  the lamp as a foreground object, and just reduce the sidewalk size (perhaps not realistic, but unless it's really important to have the correct dimensions, I say cheat)

III) Having the main objects centered is usually an unexciting compositional choice. The standard practise is to place them at the golden ratio, which is basically a bit off center, to the right. The idea is to avoid symmetry, which is often predictable and boring.

Regarding the alleyway, you could try making it narrower, to allow you to push closer with the camera, but have both the main elements visable.

Just a few thoughts, hope you'll keep us updated on the progress.

Edit: a few corrupt sentences.

[Neutron]

The walls of the building look a bit spartan, how about a gutter, some conduit, a fire escape, some flyers posted in the window, or on the walls, a stand-up ashtray, a whiskey barrel planter, a fire hydrant, bits of litter, or something to add extra interest.

[TerranRich]

And that door looks off-center under the awning. The door is way too far to the left.

[None]

Still looks like sh...take mushrooms.
Oh well, keep trying till you get it right I suppose.
I think I'm tired or something, I'm cutting corners I guess... Jeez, this looks so much simpler till you sit down and DO it.
Bah.
-Sag.

I think I'll post some sprites or something, this is just...bah.

[TerranRich]

No, no! That's actually a huge improvement. It's much more interesting now. Still needs random signage (maybe a big ad or poster on the red wall, a poster or some graffiti on the side of the main building facing the alley, etc.) and maybe a mailbox, or a fire hydrant, or even some litter here and there. No matter where you go, there's always litter.

[None]

Thanks, honestly I've been kinda discouraged, cause While I'm decent with Sprites, I can't seem to get the hang on BG's. I mean I can do them if I keep cutting on them, but it doesn't come as easy as it should, I'm guessing this is right, or guessing this is what I should do, where I should know the method for those kinda things by heart.

Oh well. I have a thank-you.
I should prob put this in a new thread, but what they HEY.


_{Is it just me or does the thing 'auto-blur' on enlarge?}

[Spike4072]

_{Is it just me or does the thing 'auto-blur' on enlarge?}

Depends on the browser I think. Some make it more blurry than others.

She looks good

[ThreeOhFour]

The sprite looks nice. I'd comment on your pillowshading but have given up trying to convince you to abandon it, and it works quite effectively here anyway - I find this quite reminiscent of the sprites found in Tropico.

One suggestion I will make is some further attention to antialiasing, which shouldn't require expanding the palette:



And yes, depending on your browser, the image may be blurred when rescaled.

Depending on the colour of the background you intend to place the character against, the dark edges of the areas of visible skin could need adjusting as well.

[None]

  But at least she doesn't have giant watery eyes Ben, she doesn't have giant watery eyes...

I liked the things you changed on the hat, but I didn't like the what you did to the face, the faux 'detail' only muddles it in my opinion.
THX though BEN.
(Btw I have a sprite for another game that's on hold, I'm dying to show someone, (but I can't risk letting out details till I release, get on MSN sometimes so I can share)

(SO I'M NOT DOUBLE POSTING)
*UPDATE*

[TerranRich]

Boy, this room changes drastically each time you post a new version of it.

So far so good, still lacking in "randomness" (like posters, etc.). Otherwise, it's very good.

[Buckethead]

These backgrounds look pretty good but it's best to pick a school you like and can do and then go from there.
I would personally pick the second one. It has a bit of an old school feeling to it and fits with the sprite.

[None]

  yeah I know the changes are drastic, same subject matter different attempts to capture the feel I want.
Problem is, none of it's right, I'm gonna have to rethink my methods, come at this differently somehow...
God where's a PROZAC when I need one...
(if the next bg, looks like something outta a TIM BURTON movie, don't blame me...)
I hate it when I have a mental image and can't project... argh.

[G]

I hate it when I have a mental image and can't project... argh.

I know what that means. Just let me ask you something.

Do you actually draw some sketch?
I mean, one in paper with pencils. If you don't, when you have a "mental image" you must start "projecting" it on paper, draw general thing first, anf filling everything later with details and repeating drawings until you get to sketch that is the closest to you "mental image". If you don't make any hand-drawn sketches, please make so even before turning on your PC.

In the other hand... if you do, try making more detailed sketches.

Cheers.